Offense: QB/CB Xavier Clark will look to fill the void created by the graduation of Isiah Brame, an All-Area performer last season. Coach James Swain said Clark has the kind of breakaway speed that can change the complexion of a game, just like Brame did. WR Paul Fuller is a two-way star who has explosive playmaking abilities and will be joined in the receiving corps by newcomer Raymond Scarbrough. Chance Kennedy and Eric Scott-Davis will look to carry the ground attack. The Cougars will also need major contributions from their line, particularly Deshawn Smith (6-3, 270), two-way lineman Salvador Magallon, senior Justin Haynes.

Defense: The defense has several playmakers, most of whom are going to try to pull double duty. Fuller will be at free safety, Scott-Davis will be at defensive back, sophomore Paris McDaniels will be the strong safety and newcomer Rian Smith will be a defensive back to form a solid secondary. Kennedy and Bryan Navarro will pace the linebacking corps. Magallon and Espinoza will lead the charge up front. JR Atofau will try to rebound after missing last season due to injury.

Outlook: Fourth time is the charm, right? That is what Hawthorne is hoping for, bringing back James Swain for his fourth stint as the program’s head coach. Swain hopes to carry on some of the good vibrations started by Joe Kanach in the last two years.

SCHEDULE

Friday x- At Torrance 7 p.m.

Aug. 31 Lawndale 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 At Animo South L.A. 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 Gardena 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Leuzinger 7 p.m.

OCEAN LEAGUE

Oct. 5 At Culver City 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 Morningside 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 Inglewood 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 At Beverly Hills 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 y-At Santa Monica 7 p.m.

x – At Zamperini Stadium, Torr.

y – At SMC College

CULVER CITY

Nickname: Centaurs

Coach: Jahmal Wright (fourth year, 25-11)

2011 finish: 10-4 (3-2, third place in Ocean League, lost to Lompoc in the CIF-SS Western Division final)

Offense: The Ocean League’s top offense should have plenty of firepower. WR Julius Wilson has 12 Division I offers. Wilson had 55 catches for 847 yards and eight TDs last season. Mira Costa transfer Xan Cuevas (6-0, 200, Sr.) is a strong quarterback who might be much more suited for Culver City’s high-octane offense. RB Akili Skannal led Culver City in rushing yards last season with 633 yards and six TDs on 84 carries. Culver City’s line also will have decent size and experience with four returners, including LG Valentin Caiseros, C Mark Ordon, RG Kevin Melendrez and RT Orion Radtkee. LT

Defense: Look out for NG Deon Young. Not only is he a first-team all-state selection, Young is being recruited by Utah, Fresno State, Colorado State and Utah State. The Centaurs will also be helped by two impact transfers in LB Winner Watts (transfer from Leuzinger) and CB Stanley Norman (transfer from LB Poly). Watts forms a potent trio with LBs Keishawn Haley and Skannal. Norman is a major playmaker who will help a secondary of CB Kevin Beacham (5-11, 165, Jr.), SS Sean Floyd (5-9, 180, Sr.) and FS Tahj Mines (5-10, 180, Sr.). DTs Melendrez and Delwaun Beard (6-4, 225, Sr.) will also contribute.

Outlook: Timely transfers should help Culver City remain a CIF title contender.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 At West Torrance 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 Peninsula 7 p.m.

Sept. 14 At Redondo 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 West Adams Prep 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 At Bishop Amat 7 p.m.

OCEAN LEAGUE

Oct. 5 Hawthorne 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 x-At Inglewood 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 y-At Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 Morningside 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 Beverly Hills 7 p.m.

x – at Coleman Stadium, I’wood

y – at SM City College

INGLEWOOD

Nickname: Sentinels

Coach: Stephen Thomas (third year, 14-9)

2011 finish: 5-6 (4-1, second in Ocean League, lost to Chaminade in first round of CIF-SS Western Division playoffs).

Offense: Coach Stephen Thomas feels RB Dylan Durr could be the next great Inglewood playmaker. RB Treyvon Benton also returns and figures to play a significant role for the explosive Sentinels. Hawthorne transfer Rickie Calderon (6-1, 185, Sr.) should help fortify the quarterback position.Calderon has options. Kenneth Johnson led Inglewood in receptions last season, and Terrance Harvey (6-1, 190, Sr.) is a transfer from Serra who will bolster the Sentinels’ offensive attack. Tight end Chauntez Jackson figures to a major weapon. If there is one weakness, it is the offensive line. G Atrayu Johnson is a returner and will be a force for an otherwise inexperienced line. Thomas is hopeful Angel Alarcon, injured as junior, can return by Ocean League play, but conceded there is no guarantee Alarcon will return this season.

Defense: Inglewood has several playmakers on defense, but Thomas said he was particularly excited about CB Eddie Reyes, who will also see time on offense, runs track and can be a game-changer for the Sentinels. Durr has the same kind of game-changing potential for the Sentinels. Jackson will lead the defensive line and has made a name for himself with his pass-rushing skills.

Outlook: Inglewood has thrived on and off the field under Thomas with a league title in 2010 and a league runner-up finish in 2011 in addition to becoming a recruiting factory. Thomas admitted there are several question marks Inglewood would need to address to challenge front-runners Santa Monica and Culver City for the Ocean League title. But the Sentinels should be right in the mix.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 x- Mira Costa 7 p.m.

Sept. 7 x- Stockdale/Bakersfield 7

Sept. 14 x- Burbank 7 p.m.

Sept. 21 At Hamilton 3 p.m.

Sept. 28 y- At Torrance 7 p.m.

OCEAN LEAGUE

Oct. 5 At Beverly Hills 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 x- Culver City 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 At Hawthorne 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 x-Santa Monica 7 p.m.

Nov. 2 x- Morningside 7 p.m.

x – At Coleman Stadium, I’wood

y – At Zamperini Stadium, Torr.

SANTA MONICA

Nickname: Vikings

Coach: Travis Clark (4th season)

2011 finish: 11-2 (5-0, first place in Ocean League, lost in the CIF Southern Section Western Division semifinals to Culver City)

Offense: USC commit Sebastian LaRue is a dynamic playmaker at wide receiver. The only question for Santa Monica is who exactly will be throwing LaRue the ball. Serra transfer Ryan Barbarin is currently locked in a QB battle with junior Jordan Detamore and sophomore Niko Basile. Whoever does end up taking snaps will do so behind a stellar offensive line that returns four key contributers in Steve Becerra, Pete Breceda, Andres Meza and Nick Cardiel.

Defense: Matthew Rusk-Kosa is a ballhawk who leads the Vikings’ defense from his safety spot. He had five interceptions last season to lead the team and is always around the ball. LaRue is also a threat at cornerback, where he had two interceptions last season. Outlook: Santa Monica finally broke through last season under Travis Clark to make an undefeated run to a league title and has the horses back to do it again this year.

Offense: The Monarchs are overloaded at the skill positions. Wide receiver Taveon Campbell is reminiscent of big-play athlete Chad Conners from last year’s team. Quarterback Greg Adams is a three-year player who brings experience and poise to the Monarchs and is being recruited by Cal Poly (San Luis Obispo) and Nevada. Running back Dana Dodson was last year’s leading scorer and should get plenty of opportunities for the Monarchs along with Christian Williams (5-8, 162, Soph.). Left tackle Trevion Carter should be the leader on the line and brings plenty of strength . Left guard Rodulfo Reyes (6-2, 210, Sr.) will also be a fixture.

Defense: The Monarchs hope some of their offensive firepower will carry over onto the defensive end. Campbell could be special at cornerback. Jonathan Hanson (5-11, 185, Jr.) will also help fortify the secondary at strong safety. Linebacker Caleb Smith will lead the linebacking corps. Javon Payne is a strong returner at linebacker. Agee Travon, Carter, defensive end Roy Stringer (6-1, 215, Sr.) and Charles Akanno (6-2, 255, Fr.) will lead the push up front.

Outlook: Morningside enjoyed a sort of bounceback year following a disastrous 2010 campaign. Coach Sheron Butler is having a positive influence after arriving from L.A. Jordan before the start of last season. Morningside might be able to challenge for a playoff berth this season.

Offense: Beverly Hills is tasked with the job of replacing longtime offensive staples Cameron Countryman and Frank Brown, but Donald Paysinger feels like his team has the talent to do so adequately. There is plenty of talent at wide receiver with Sacks and Carruth leading that unit. Montay Monroe will carry the load at running back. Senior Chase Crossley, who saw limited action last season, is battling for the starting quarterback job with junior Zach Bialobos.

Defense: There is plenty of talent returning up front with Woods, Forman and Paysinger leading the front seven. Woods led the team in tackles last season and is one of the top defensive players in the league. Paysinger feels comfortable with his defensive backfield led by Carruth and safety Morgan Henderson.

Outlook: Paysinger says his starters are talented enough to go toe to toe with any team in the league, but depth will be an issue as the Normans just don’t have the numbers they’ve had in years past. There is plenty of talent at the skill positions and in the front seven on defense, so the team should be competitive enough to make it close.

Dave Thorpe is the local sports coordinator for the Daily Breeze. He has been covering local sports in the South Bay for the Daily Breeze since 2006. He previously was the sports editor at the Palos Verdes Peninsula News.

Join the Conversation

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@scng.com.